Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has used Marc Cucurella regularly as he made 10 Premier League appearances this season.
Last season, the Italian’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, didn’t rely upon the left-back initially.
Cucurella featured regularly in the second half of last season, and this helped him return to the Spain squad in March. The Chelsea player was part of La Roja side that won the Euro 2024 in the summer.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has included the 26-year-old for this international break, and this gave Radioestadio Noche an opportunity to have a chat with him.
The former Barcelona man states he was rewarded with a place in the national team, after a complicated last season at Chelsea.
“I was doing very well at Chelsea and Gayá hadn’t fully recovered from his injury, a lot of factors have to come together to be at a European Championship (…). It wasn’t an easy season because I was injured for three months and at the end a cycle of hard work and suffering came to an end with that call up for the European Championship,” he said.
Chelsea reportedly paid around £55m to buy the fullback from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. He initially found it difficult at the west London club and was subjected to criticism from a section of supporters and the media.
Things have improved for the Spaniard, and he’s pleased with the recognition from the Blues fans. Despite this, the defender has left the door open to return to La Liga.
“It was a tough few months, but in the end, you learn from everything. Now I’m in a very good moment and the fans are very supportive,” Cucurella explained.
“Now I’m very well in London. The family has adapted very well, and the club seems to be starting to work. In the future I would like to return to Spain.”
His contract at Stamford Bridge lasts until 2028.
